New Firefox 4 beta for Android released

By Chris Kerrigan  | Feb 01 2011 | 9:04 pm  | 45 Comments

Firefox for Android

Mozilla just released a new beta for Firefox for Android, aimed at improving the browsers speed and performance. The list of changes are as follows:

  • Now faster than stock Android browser
  • Nearly three times faster on Kraken JavaScript benchmark tests
  • Twice as fast on SunSpider JavaScript benchmark tests
  • Reduced installation memory usage
  • Stability improvements
  • Fixed keyboard bugs
  • Improved zooming readability 

It's definitely a work in progress, but we're getting closer and closer to the final product. Hit the break for a video of some of the beta's highlighted features. [Mozilla Firefox Blog]

Chris Kerrigan

Chris Kerrigan

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There are 45 comments

FatalErrorz says:

First. I downloaded it, and like it better than the stock browser. So far.

PortareAF says:

Hey what is this weird fox on my netscape browser...

sanibel says:

I'll give it a try. Last time I tried it sucked terribly.

Klubhead says:

aaaaaand it still sucks terribly

swimrage says:

its like dial-up on my Droid

tdiebold says:

It downloads just fine on the motorola droid, but afterwards it won't install? Each time it completes the download it stops there...never even proceeding to installation.

itch808 says:

same here...

Dinc running CM7

Marshy says:

Well, my concern was if I had enough room on my moto droid, now I don't need to take an hour to see what I can delete to make enough.

icebike says:

Market summary says Moto Droid and Milestone are not supported, but
this page contradicts that:

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/mobile/platforms/

rpankoe says:

Same on the Epic 4G. Now I deleted the version that I was trying to update to try and install fresh and can't get it back.

PhilR8 says:

Same here, Evo running rooted stock. Downloaded, never installed.

EDIT: Actually, it looks like the download never even began.

Chief71 says:

Love having the ability to put firefox on my evo..:). Best browser out there...just wish xmarks was free for android

ioioi210 says:

As a chrome person, I wish they added chrome syncing to the stock browser...

enzofall says:

+1 it seemed like an obvious move, but i guess they never felt a need to incorporate it

yappcd says:

I'm good with Dolphin HD

Kedar says:

Have you tried Dolphin Mini? Super fast and better user interface. It's his new project.

Trying out Firefox.
I'm using Myn's RLS-5 Rom and things have been slow lately. I don't know why.

tompro53 says:

Is anyone not able to download any apps from the android market on my Evo.

Johnny_Mac says:

I can't download any apps from the market onto your Evo either. *shrug*

LOL

ClinchDroid says:

I can't get anything in the market to download.

Haso17 says:

I think any chrome user knows firefox gets blown away by chrome. Google, please just rework you magic!

crxssi says:

That depends on your needs.

MowDownJoe says:

Yeah... Chrome's UI may be a bit cleaner, but it's extensions aren't as full-featured. Best example? Chrome to Phone and its Firefox equivalent. Chrome to Phone is nice, but compared to Fox to Phone, which has extra features over Chrome to Phone (sending your whole clipboard, being able to click market links on your desktop browser and have them auto-forwarded to your phone, actually pushing your link after logging in instead of displaying a "Thank you for logging in!" page) Chrome to Phone seems a little sad.

wdfalco says:

i can't download

sanibel says:

Yikes: I am deleting it.
Why can't Mozilla get it right? Bookmarks are terribly complicated to store, pulldown menus suck to end. This beta is far-far away from the quality and the ease-of-use Dolphin HD provides.

android alan says:

First time using this browser. Seems slow, but I really like the way tabs & back/forward butttons are housed on the sides of your browser window. Really nice feature.

ezrevo2010 says:

What the hell is going on with the market? I can't seem to download any apps or updates! Can anybody help me?

icebike says:

Give it a few hours.
Everybody is Slashdotting the market right now trying to download that 13 megabyte pig.

Anybody know if this will install to the MicroSD?
Edit: apparently it will: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/mobile/platforms/

S_C_B says:

Maybe Google is getting ready to update the Market and add the Music store!!

FatalErrorz says:

Market's working fine...Just downloaded a scanner

icebike says:

I vote for no more Music Auto-Play pages on AC.

diestarbucksdie says:

I enjoy AC a great deal, and I don't mind ads, but I agree. Auto audio/video pages can be very annoying...

slayer91790 says:

I work at a verizon store and tested all the live phones on the market and not one phone can download an app!!!

PhoenixMike says:

Yep, something has been wrong with the Market all day. First noticed when I tried to update Google Maps.

Comineeyeaha says:

I installed this, but I actually can't get it to load any page. I haven't tried it in an hour or so, but it hasn't worked for me yet. I'm on a Fascinate.

Comineeyeaha says:

Ok, I did finally get it to load a page, but it was really buggy. I downloaded it while people were reporting Market problems, so I've uninstalled it and will try again after the Market picks back up. I liked what I saw though, I just hope they get the slow-to-open thing worked out.

Really, though, I just want Chrome for Android :)

Urukiora says:

Stupid app froze my phone... twice! Uninstalling >=[

babygirl17_06 says:

I guess they don't support the Hero. I can't find it in the market and if I go to the website and scan the barcode it says Not Found The requested item could not be found! DOUBLE :(!!!

tim6253 says:

It's nice to have as a backup, for one of those rare occasions I run across something that webkit can't render well. Three things though: 1. It is NOT faster than stock. That is a complete lie. 2. They should give you the option to disable the sidebars. They are too easy to drag open at the edge of the page.3. Since the app runs at around 20 MB and is heavy on RAM, an exit button would be nice. I always go force close it in settings.

icebike says:

I agree with all your points...

On my Nexus One:

It is NOT quicker than the stock browser. Not by a long shot.

When you move it to SD, only a small portion actually moves, the rest stays in main memory. Even an uninstall will not free that memory till you reboot.

It insists on showing web pages full screen with NO option like the stock browser to automatically find the column you were looking for.
So you have to wait for the whole page to render then pinch to zoom in then WAIT again while it re-renders the page.

And no Exit button. Any speed they gain is by latching onto as much memory as they can find and keeping it.

So, deleted.

fooflam says:

Got it to download on my Epic and install, but I'm still unimpressed. While syncing is pretty sweet, I was unable to locate where my downloads went to using both Andro Zip Pro and Astro file managers. Since Firefox didn't auto sync with either, I couldn't open my downloaded file. Also, the checkered background that appears when you scroll too fast is just weird.

I'll wait until they're past beta.

Qazme says:

It works, going to give it a try for a few days and see what I end up thinking about it. I really like the scroll left and right to get to extra menus and tabs etc. But the ad about it being faster than the stock android browser isn't true.

HAZMAT780 says:

it sucks... lagged the hell out of my DX.. running Liberty 1.0... uninstall.

bobaka says:

really really slow on galaxy S.. and no flash
un-usable

bobaka says:

really really slow on captivate and no flash
un-usable
hopefully someday it works

pedroflovera says:

I try to download it but always say (The requested item not could be found). Any solution?.